Seven Injured on Roller Coaster at Paramount's Carowinds

Charlotte, NC - April 6, 1999--Seven passengers were injured Monday evening after the train they were riding in collided with another. The accident occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. on the Thunder Road roller coaster, located at Paramount's Carowinds Amusement Park.

According to a witness the train approaching the station collided with a second train, which was sitting in the station empty. A total of 16-passengers were aboard the train when the accident occurred.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and rushed five people to the local hospital. Two others who were also injured were taken to the nearby hospital by private vehicle.

Park officials declined to comment on the possible cause, but did say that the roller coaster has an automatic breaking system that was checked earlier in the day.

The Thunder Road roller coaster, is a standard out and back wooden coaster, which opened in 1976. The coaster was designed by John Allen and is unique since it crosses over the North and South Carolina border.

The roller coaster will remain closed while the park conducts an official investigation.